Living Large 2nd Ed

Living Large n SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 1
RECOVERY PALOOZA
PUT A FACE
ON IT!
Recovery Allies RECOVERY HAP-
PENS t-shirts are causing a little stir in
certain communities. The back of the shirt
says “by our silence we allow others to de-
fine us” The “stir” has to do with confusion
about anonymity.
The funny thing about anonymity is
that those most concerned about it are
also the most obvious. Everyone knows
someone that goes to meetings. If you
want to see some alcoholics in recovery go
down to Main Street in little towns across
America there they are outside the church
laughing, smoking or talking.
The concept of anonymity is critical for
certain fellowships. That type of anonym-
ity is not in question here. The message
on our shirt has more to do with the fact
that many chose to “pass” on talking about
their recovery status. If a person survives
cancer we raise our hands in victory over
that disease. If someone survives addic-
tion, we stop talking about it like it’s a dirty
secret.
Not everyone can identify himself or
herself as a person in long-term recovery
but for those that can, we ask you to con-
sider doing so. If we all stood up and said
that recovery happens and talk about our
own pathway, we would inspire many,
many people to do the same!!
Going back to the “who are the most
obvious people in recovery” topic, we
know that AA is one of the most well
known pathways, what most don’t know
about are all of the other pathways. If over
25 million people are indeed in long-term
recovery, and AA’s published numbers of
2 million nationwide attend, 90% of the
people did not use that pathway. If you
didn’t, who are you? What path did you
use? Could your story help others? Con-
sider telling it. Consider coming to us and
saying I want to help by sharing my path-
way.
September is national recovery month
and September 20 is national recovery
day. In honor of that we are hosting the
8th annual Recovery Palooza on that date.
Each year we do this celebration and every
year more than a 1000 people come out to
show support of recovery. All in one spot,
all saying recovery happens! This year is
going to be the biggest and best ever. We
have changed the location. It’s in Grand
Rapids at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. The park is
sacred ground for the local Native Amer-
icans who have a very effective pathway
called white bison. The park is literally 40
feet from where the First Lady, Betty Ford
is laid to rest and is also right in the heart
ofdowntown.Wehavealsopartneredwith
the Statewide Celebrate Recovery Walk
And Rally. That means we get to walk in
unity and in support across the Gillette
Bridge and back again, gather at the park
to hear speakers, Dr. Billy Taylor and Le-
nard Baid. Billy Taylor was a running back
for U of M and now has a treatment center
for men in Detroit and Lenard was the first
person to ever go through the Betty Ford
Treatment Center. After we “rally” and
hear a great message of recovery, we eat!!
All free, all fun and all day! Well almost,
it’s from 11:30am to 4:00pm, and we en-
courage people to come at 11:30 am to
participate in the Walk and Rally portion
of the day. The kids will have stuff to do
too, we have a resource tent with over 30
providers of services that offer both recov-
ery supports and treatment services, and
will have interactive pathways to recovery
on stage.
Please come down and show you’re
support of recovery.. ALL are welcome
that support recovery no matter how. Plus,
you’ll get a free t-shirts! #recoveryhappens
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MICHIGAN
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micele
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PALOOZA
CELEBRATE RECOVERY
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GRAND RAPIDS
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CELEBRATE RECOVERY
MICHIGAN
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Living Large
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN RECOVERY
‘By our silence we allow
others to define us’
Recovery
ALLIESADVOCATE • CELEBRATE • EDUCATE
A PUBLICATION OF RECOVERY ALLIES OF WEST MICHIGAN
• Pathways to Recovery
• News from the Front
by Bill White
• Recovery Residence List
• “Can I Eat Beer Battered
Shrimp?”
• Felony Friendly
Employers List
• Upcoming Training & Events
• Perspective from
a New Coach
• Narcotics Anonymous
Meeting Schedule
recoveryallies.us
Kevin McLaughlin, Executive Director
Sara Vanderleest, Assistant Director
Recovery Community Organization (RCO)
Phone: 616-262-8531• Email: kevin@recoveryallies.us

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 n Living Large2
RECOVERY ADVOCACY AND PERSONAL PHILANTHROPY
By William White and Greg Williams
Bill wrote this article during Faces
and Voices annual giving campaign
called America Honors Recovery. We
ask that you use the words “local” where
the word “national” appears and that
you include our organization “Recovery
Allies of West MI” where Faces and
Voices Appear.
I have written a good deal about
the harmful effects of money on social
movements--particularly about how
recovery advocacy movements can be
harmed by too much money, too little
money, ill-timed money and agenda-
tainted money. That said, there are
critical periods in the life of successful
social movements that require financial
resources, with the long-term fate of the
movement hinging on the availability and
sources of such financial support. Greg
Williams and I have given considerable
thought to the state of the new recovery
advocacy movement in the United States
and we belief this movement is at such a
critical milestone.
By all accounts, the new recovery
advocacy movement has come of
age. Faces and Voices of Recovery will
celebrate its 13th anniversary this fall.
There are now more than 90 members of
the Association of Recovery Community
Organizations. Advocates have
championed and witnessed the passage
of landmark legislation and regulatory
changes that ended key areas of past
discrimination against people in recovery.
New recovery support institutions--
recovery community centers, recovery
residences, recovery schools, recovery
ministries, recovery cafés--are sprouting
in communities across the country. We
havemorethan125,000peopleinrecovery
and their families and allied participating
each year in public recovery celebration
events. The film The Anonymous People
is filling theatres across the country.
Addiction recovery has never been more
visible within the American culture.
When the new recovery advocacy
movement was formally launched at the
Recovery Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota
in 2001, the question we asked was, “Can
individuals and families in recovery be
mobilized culturally and politically?”
In the intervening years, that question
has been affirmatively answered. With
such mobilization clearly evident, the
question became “Mobilized to do
what?” And again, that question was
answered as local recovery community
organizations developed programs that
widened pathways of entry into long-term
addiction recovery. Much of this work
was initiated and sustained by voluntary
efforts of people in recovery and by
financial support that came from private
foundations, federal or state agencies and
the contributions of local businesses.
The next stage of the new recovery
advocacy movement involves more
than putting thousands of faces and
voices on addiction recovery. It involves
the much harder work of building
sustainable recovery support institutions
and building community environments
in which recovery can flourish. This
requires the growth and expansion of
the technical support Faces and Voices
has been able to offer to local recovery
community organizations and to provide
the connecting tissue that allows these
organizations to speak with one voice on
issues affecting all communities.
There is a point in all social
movements where the true ownership
of that movement is tested. The new
recovery advocacy movement is at that
point. The question is whether people
in personal or family recovery will take
ownership of the future of this movement
by financially supporting our national
(and local) organizations that coordinate
the day-to-day work of the recovery
advocacy movement. It is time that we
who have harvested the fruits of recovery
pay it forward with our time, our talents,
and yes, our financial contributions.
So we at Recovery Allies ask, what can
yougivetodaytosupportthegrowthofour
local Recovery Community Organization?
New 2014 edition now available; call
1-888-547-8271.
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO
KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING
TAKE 20 MINUTES A WEEK
AND CHECK OUT BILLS
WEEKLY BLOG AT
WILLLIAMWHITEPAPERS.COM!
After years of abuse to my body with
addiction, my breath had haunted me,
it seemed illusive, my anxieties of facing
life without my love, my drug, had me in
a constant state of panic. Meditation had
gotten me to a place where I felt, I could
cope, then I found yoga and my entire life
and recovery changed. This is how I use
Yoga as a pathway to recovery.
The breath, this breath, my breath
is life, always go back to the breath…
this breath allows me to face such pain,
this breath allows me to be aware and
intentional in my movement and in my
life. Yoga, at its core is the breath.
As I hold my pose, my brain tells me,
almost commanding me to release, just
do what is easy... let go of the pose, its
just too much and I am not sure if I can
handle it. I am reminded by my teacher
that when you want to let go, it is in that
moment when you need this practice the
most, when you want to give in because
it to hard, if you can just accept that the
discomfort is just a part of you, and that to
accept that discomfort, is where freedom
lies, and freedom is our natural state. As
i hear this i smile, sweating from the 98
degree temperature with 50 % humidity,
the sweat streams down like thick tears,
knowing that what is being released is
the toxic residue of a life past. I smile for
where I am in that exact moment, is so
much bigger than simply holding a pose,
I am connected with myself truly again,
and even though this moment is bigger
at the same time it is less complex, in its
truest form, it is mind, body and spirit
combined to an awakening of trust, trust
in my practice, my body and something so
precious to me, my recovery.
This class I am in, is more than people
coming together for a good workout, as
one teacher put it “a communal lung” as
the class flows like a synchronized dance,
the breathing becomes an orchestra,
the movement has its own language, the
sweat becomes a vessel to let go. I let go…
“Everything you need, anything you
need, is within you, you are enough”
ringing through the hot house, I hear, feel
and know, that all that searching, all the
years of struggle, all the heartache, the
fear, rejection, was so beautifully directed,
was all intentional, to bring me to my true
place myself. That no matter the past, I
AM ENOUGH.
Recovery and its pathways are as
simpleasyoumakethemanditsmessages
are clear, if you look and become open
to them. Yoga as a pathway is constant,
deliberate and an ever changing journey.
It provides empowerment, empathy
and freedom. As soon as you think
you have gone as deep as you can go,
you find another depth. I can place my
recovery journey in my yoga practice and
the marriage of the two, has allowed me
to open to places of clarity, I have never
achieved. Yoga: A beautiful choice and
pathway for this girl, in recovery.
A PATHWAY CALLED YOGA
By Sara Vanderleest
William
White
Greg
Williams

RECOVERY RESIDENCES
RECOVERY RESIDENCES
UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
HEALTH FIRST STEP HOUSE –
WOMAN’S HOME
Contact: Rose Simmons
Phone: 616-452-3226 Ext. 3037
MailingAddress: 904 SheldonAve. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
E-mail: rsimmons@umchousegr.org
Website: umchousegr.org
HomeAddress: 922 SheldonAve. SE
HOUSE OF BLESSINGS –
WOMAN’S HOME
Contact: Shellie Cole-Mickens
Phone: Update soon!
Address: 938 Humbolt Street Southeast
918 Hall Street Southeast
NEXT PHASE – WOMAN’S HOME
Contact: Freddy Martin
Phone: 616.450.0686
Address: 368 SenoraAve Southeast
SACRED BEGINNINGS –
WOMAN’S HOMES
Contact: Leslie Borrego
Phone: 616-890-8278
E-mail: leslieborrego@gmail.com
HomeAddress: 1165 Hermitage SE
1366 Elliott SE
Website: www.sbtp.org
STEP FORWARD RECOVERY HOMES
Address: GrandvilleArea
Contact: Jo Ringnalda
Phone: 616-662-0881
THE COMFORT HOME
Address: South East Grand Rapids area
Contact: Ron and Laurie DeBose
Phone: 616-459-1930
MY SISTER’S HOUSE
(WOMEN IN RECOVERY)
Address:761 Bridge Street NW
Phone: 616-235-0223
RECOVERY ROAD LLC –
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S HOMES
Contact: Shelly Demull
Phone: 888-588-0434
Website: recoveryroadllc.com
HomeAddress: 961Alpine NW
3036 Perry SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
HOPE HOUSE – MEN’S HOME
Contact: Matt Matlock
Phone: 616-915-4664 or 616-246-6369
MailingAddress: 1036Alexander SE
NEXT PHASE RECOVERY –
MEN’S HOME
Contact: Freddy Martin
Phone: 616-450-0686
Address: 1145Alexander SE
RECOVERY ROAD CHARITIES –
TWO HOUSES FOR MEN
Address:Alpine and Kentwood locations
Contact: Cameron Stockwell
Phone: 616-915-0594
FAITH CHARITY RECOVERY CENTER –
COUPLES HOME
Address: 2219 HortonAve SE
Contact: Dan or ZoeAnn
Phone: 616-247-4744 or 616-808-5106
TOUCHSTONE RECOVERY
Address: 138Travis St SE
Contact: Kevin O’Hare
Phone: 616-558-4958, Cell: 734-309-
3091
PINE REST JELLEMA HOUSE
Contact: Derrick Jackson
Phone: 616-222-6861
MailingAddress: 523 Lyon Street
BUILDING MEN FOR LIFE
Address: Ottawa County
Contact: JeffVantrees
Phone: 616-393-2188
GRAND RECOVERY
Address: PO Box 1060, Grand Rapids, MI
Contact: Sanford Cummings
Phone: 616-516-6537
2014 Sponsorship Registration Form
Location: Ah-Nab-Awen- Grand Rapids, MI.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, August 25, 2014
Contact Information
(All correspondence will be sent to this person.)
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Name: _____________________________________________ Title: ________________________________
Company: __________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________ City:_____________________ Zip: ________
Phone: _________________________ Fax: _________________________ Email: _____________________
On-Site Contact (day of event), if different from person above:
Name: _____________________________________________ Title: ________________________________
Phone: _________________________ Cell: _________________________ Email: _____________________
*PLEASE SEE Sponsorship Packet (for specifics concerning benefits and levels of sponsorship)
*Indicate below your choice of Sponsorship:
I will support the National Recovery Month at level _____
Our organization will support National Recovery Month at level _____
PAYMENT – CIRCLE ONE: CASH CHECK MONEY ORDER Total amount due:___________
SIGNATURE ____________________________________ Date:______________________
Make Checks Payable to: NCADD-GDA Payment is due in full (sorry no refunds).
Return form and payment to NCADD-GDA, Attn: MI Celebrate Recovery XIV
2400 E. McNichols, Detroit, MI 48212
313-868-1340 office, 313-865-8951 fax
Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of treatment for substance use and mental
disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment providers, and
promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the
positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works,
treatment is effective and people can and do recover. Your contribution makes it possible for
these vitally important messages to be heard.
The Michigan Celebrate Recovery Walk & Rally XIV celebrates and honors the successes of
the millions of Americans in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. Join people in
recovery, their family members and friends, addiction treatment professionals and others in
speaking out about the reality of recovery.
MICHIGAN CELEBRATE RECOVERY WALK & RALLY XIV PARTNERS
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Greater Detroit Area | CARE | Macomb County Office of
Substance Abuse | Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards | Michigan Association of Substance
Abuse Coordinating Agencies (MASACA) | Partnership for a Drug Free Detroit | Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center
| Detroit Recovery Project | Detroit Department of Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment &
Recovery | Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) | Oakland County Health Division | Spectrum | Doorway
to Recovery |St. John Eastwood | Project Vox | Touchstone Recovery | Genesee County Mental Health | Network 180 |
Prevention Network | Al-Anon | Recovery Allies of West Michigan
MICHIGAN CELEBRATE RECOVERYWALK & RALLY XIV PARTNERS
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Greater Detroit Area | CARE | Macomb County Office of
Substance Abuse | Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards | Michigan Association of Substance
Abuse Coordinating Agencies (MASACA) | Partnership for a Drug Free Detroit | Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center
| Detroit Recovery Project | Detroit Department of Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention,Treatment &
Recovery | Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) | Oakland County Health Division | Spectrum | Doorway
to Recovery |St. John Eastwood | ProjectVox |Touchstone Recovery | Genesee County Mental Health | Network 180 |
Prevention Network | Al-Anon | Recovery Allies ofWest Michigan
SPONSHORSHIPPACKET

Sunday
7:00 PM PRINCIPLES B4 PERSONALITIES
O, H, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
1025 3 Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids
7:00 PM THE PATH BEGINS THE JOURNEY
Adams Park Apartments
1440 Fuller, Grand Rapids
Monday
8:00 AM SUNRISE TO SUNSET
O, Lit Matthew's House of Ministry
Basic Text 766 7th St. NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine)
11:00 AM NO NAME
O, H, Lit Grace Christian Reformed Church
100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids
Noon KEEP COMING BACK
North Alano Club Room B
1020 College Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
5:30 PM DOWNTOWN RESTING PLACE
O, H, S(1
st
) Heartside Ministry
54 South Division, Grand Rapids
6:00 PM LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME
O 101 W Main, Lowell, Mi
7:00 PM KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE
O Bates Place (next to 1
st
Christian Ref Church)
650 Bates St SE, Grand Rapids
8:00 PM OPEN FOR CHANGE
O North Alano Club Room #3
Tuesday
O, OT Matthew's House of Ministry
766 7th St. NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine)
11:00 AM NO NAME
O, H, Ti Grace Christian Reformed Church
7:00 PM PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION
C, H, Lit(2nd) St. Paul’s Campus Parish (last bldg. at
the end of road) 1 Damascus Rd, BIG Rapids
7:30 PM NATURAL LIFE
O, H New Community Church
2340 Dean Lake Drive NE, Grand Rapids
Wednesday
O, Lit Matthew's House of Ministry
(It Works How/Why) 766 7th St. St. NW, Grand Rapids (at Alpine)
11:00 AM NO NAME
O, H, RR Grace Christian Reformed Church
Noon JUST FOR TODAY
C, H, Lit Trinity United Methodist Church
1100 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
O, H, S/T Heartside Ministry
7:00 PM WE QUALIFY
O (1,3) Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Lit (2, 4), B (5) 5333 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming
8:00 PM SURRENDER TO WIN
1stO,2-Lit,3-Ti Clancy Street Ministry
4-IP, 5-S 940 Clancy Ave NE, Grand Rapids
Thursday
O, T Matthew's House of Ministry
11:00 AM NO NAME
O, H, B Grace Christian Reformed Church
7:00 PM HOME GROUP
O, H Lifequest: 1050 Fisk St SE, Grand Rapids
7:30 PM NATURAL LIFE
O, H New Community Church
2340 Dean Lake Drive NE, Grand Rapids
8:00 PM YOUNG IN RECOVERY
O, Lit Take Hold Church
222 Division, (Goodwill Bldg. by garage)
All Meetings are Non-Smoking unless listed
Abbreviation Key on opposite side
Friday
O, OT, S(1
st
) Matthew's House of Ministry
11:00 AM NO NAME
O, H, IP(1
st
& 3
rd
), Grace Christian Reformed Church
S(2
nd
& 4
th
) 100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids
O, H, Heartside Ministry
OP(1
st
) 54 South Division, Grand Rapids
7:00 PM JOY IN RECOVERY
Heritage United Methodist Church
19931 Kendaville Rd, Howard City
7:00 PM T.G.I.F.
O, H Trinity Reformed Church
Candle light 1224 Davis Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
7:00 PM STAYING IN THE SOLUTION
C, S Church of the Holy Spirit
1200 Post Drive NE, Belmont
*the 4
th
Friday of the month is an OPEN meeting
7:30 PM TRADITIONALLY SPEAKING
O, Tr Heartside Ministry
Saturday
10:00 AM PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION
C, H, Lit (4
th
) St. Paul’s Campus Parish (last bldg. at
the end of road) 1 Damascus Rd, BIG Rapids
11:00 AM SISTERS OF SERENITY
O, Lit, S, W Mathews House of Ministry
11:00 AM MEN OF CHARACTER
Lifequest: 1050 Fisk St SE, Grand Rapids
6:30 PM SATURDAY NIGHT CANDLE LIGHT
O, H Pine Rest Retreat Center Bldg.
S/T(2
nd
& 4
th
) 300 68
th
St, Grand Rapids
7:00 PM SATURDAY NIGHT CALVARY
Lit (1
st
), St (2
nd
), Calvary Church (downstairs)
S (3
rd
), St (4
th
) 707 E. Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids
NA MEETING SCHEDULE

The Anonymous People is a feature
documentary film about the more
than 23 million Americans living in
long-term recovery from addiction to
alcohol and other drugs.
Deeply entrenched social stigma
have kept recovery voices silent and
faces hidden for decades. The vacuum
has been filled with sensational mass
media depictions of people with
addiction that perpetuate a lurid
fascination with the dysfunctional
side of what is a preventable and
treatable health condition.
The moving story of The
Anonymous People is told through
the faces and voices of citizens,
leaders, volunteers, corporate
executives, public figures, and
celebrities who are laying it all on
the line to save the lives of others
just like them. This passionate new
public recovery movement aims to
transform public opinion, engage
communities and elected officials, and
finally shift problematic policy toward
lasting solutions.
CCAR – its headquarters in
Hartford and recovery community
centers in Bridgeport and Windham
– is one of the country’s first
recovery community organizations
and is featured in the film. Both,
Executive Director, Phillip A.
Valentine and Bridgeport Recovery
Community Center Manager, Michael
Askew share their personal stories
of recovery and what it was like to
be a part of the development of the
recovery movement.
To read more about the
documentary, please visit http://
manyfaces1voice.org/
FEATURES APPEARANCES BY:
n Kristen Johnston, Actress (‘3rd
Rock’ ‘The Exes’) and Best Selling
Author (‘GUTS’)
n Chris Herren, Former NBA Star
n Former Congressmen Patrick
Kennedy and Jim Ramstad
n Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner
n Best Selling Author William Cope
Moyers
n Recovery Historian and Author
William White and many more
n $20.00 each Proceeds go to
Recovery Allies a 501 c3
THE ANONYMOUS PEOPLE
Recovery Allies is ready for the next phase of our
growth! We need a building!! Right now we rent a
small office and are in need of a place, that we can help
support people in any stage of addiction or recovery
they may be in. We want to help inspire, motivate and
instill passion in peoples lives who are still suffering by
allowing people to direct their recovery goals with the
help of Recovery Coaches.
We envision a place where people can come and
really understand that just as there are many pathways
that lead us into addiction, there are many paths to
recovery. People are calling everyday who need a place
to go to receive this help, so this is why we reach out to
you! Most people have been touched by addiction in
one way or another, if it is not you, it is a friend, family
or co-worker. There is HOPE our there!! Please help
us make this dream come true so we can reach more
people in the community who are in need!!
To donate, go to:
http://www.gofundme.com/dcz9k0

A special thanks to these local sponsors of the
STATEWIDE CELEBRATE
RECOVERY WALK AND RALLY
PALOOZA!
Advocacy T-Shirts!
They start some conversations,
that’s for sure!
Only $20
Proceeds benefit Recovery Allies.
Get yours today! Call 616-254-9988
We’d like to recognize
Susan Rook for her contribution...
it’s her quote!

So,mybrother,theotherchefinthefamily,
says, “So, can you have beer-battered shrimp?”
My answer, of course, is, “Yes, but I choose not
to.” He looks at me as if to say, “No really.
Come on. You can’t?” My reasoning is simple.
I’m getting to know how my mind works. I
imagine it would probably go something like
this: I just really like the taste of beer-battered
shrimp. I know the alcohol is cooked out by
the time it’s ready to eat. So I do it. Nothing
happens. No relapse. No jail. No personality
change.
A month goes by and I find myself at a
friend’s house. They’re serving white wine
risotto with shitake mushrooms. I’ve had it
before and it tastes delicious. Nothing bad
happened with that beer-battered fish. I’ve
been sober for a few years now. I’ve been
really diligent and careful. I’m so glad I can
taste the wine without any consequences. No
jail. No wife leaving. Life is good.
I get invited on a date to a holiday party.
We have a great time. I don’t say anything
stupid. I don’t embarrass anyone or myself.
The dessert is bananas foster: bananas, sugar
and ice cream, all in a pool of melted butter
and brown sugar, topped with flaming banana
liquor. It tastes delicious. I’m so glad I’ve been
sober long enough to really enjoy some of life’s
true pleasures.
It’s now New Year’s Eve. My date is so
happy. I’m a person people really enjoy
talking with. I have much to offer. Life is
really good. I no longer have the stresses of
life – job, money, family. I suggest a toast. I
figure the champagne isn’t really any different
than cooked wine or liquor. It’s only a sip of
something I didn’t care for much anyway…
None of this happened because I don’t do
it. Basedonmanyfacts,Ihavedeterminedthat
abstinence is the best choice for me. It turns
out I’ve found everything I ever hoped to get
from alcohol – in recovery. I eat well without
cooking with alcohol; I sleep well without
alcohol; I have really good friends without
alcohol; I have great times at Holiday parties
and family gatherings without alcohol… you
gettheidea? Iactuallyhavealifesomeaningful
and enjoyable that I look forward to going
to bed in order to start the new day. All this
without drinks, or cocktails, or whiskey BBQ
sauce, or “…topped with a champagne butter”.
I recently went out to eat and noticed that a
good majority of the main entrées included
liquor of some kind in the description (8 out
of 17 – but who’s counting, right?). In early
recovery, that type of restaurant experience
would confirm that a sober life would be more
like a sentence than a second chance. I’ve also
recently watched a show on the Food Network
that had 4 really good chefs cooking 4 menu
components each per competition, and there
were 3 competitions in one show. In that one
hour I saw 48 menu items prepared without
any form of alcohol. The point is, it is possible
to enjoy yourself in the kitchen without having
5 different open bottles to “cook” with!
It’s cunning, baffling and powerful. I don’t
eat beer-battered fish or white wine anything.
I don’t gargle with Scope™ that contains
alcohol. I don’t take Nyquil™ or Benadryl™. I
am an alcoholic and I believe my body cannot
handle the substance any better than a kid
withapeanutallergycanhandlefoodprepared
near where peanuts are processed. It will kill
me. Not fast. Slowly and painfully. It will
hurt. Not just me but my loved ones including
my sons. Maybe even you the reader – you
never know with an alcoholic of my type. It
will cause pain in many ways to many people.
Fortunately I can fast forward the tape all the
way through.
Someone asked me if I was an extremist. I
said maybe I am but today, I say I am grateful
to be an alcoholic in recovery. If it is extreme
to protect what you value than I am. There is
a book that has a sentence that says something
to the effect of, “We are not a glum lot. We
absolutely insist on having fun in recovery.” I
love my life and am worthy of all the good that
is in it.
And by the way, I think coconut-battered
shrimp is better!
Here are a couple of alcohol-free shrimp
recipes that are fun and tasty:
COCONUT-BATTERED SHRIMP
6 large shrimp (tail on, peeled, deveined)
2 cups oil
1 tsp. Creole spice
¼ cup flour
1 egg, beaten with 2Tbsp water
1 cup coconut flakes
For the sauce:
1Tbsp honey
2Tbsp Creole mustard
In a deep fat fryer or heavy sauce pan heat oil until a
deep fry thermometer registers 360°. Season shrimp
with Creole spice. Holding the tail of the shrimp,
dredge each shrimp in flour; shake off the excess, dip
into the egg mixture. Coat the shrimp completely.
Allow the excess egg to drip off of the shrimp. Dredge
the shrimp into the coconut, pressing the coconut
securely onto the shrimp. Place the shrimp into the
fryer or heavy sauté pan, turning as they begin to
brown. Remove shrimp when brown on all sides.
Drain on paper towels and place on a serving platter.
To make the sauce, in a small bowl mix together the
honey and the mustard serve with the shrimp.
SHRIMP DIANE
1-3/4 lbs. medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
6Tbsp water
3/8 lb (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
¼ cup green onions, finely chopped
3Tbsp Cajun spices
½ lb sliced mushrooms
3Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
French bread, pasta or rice
Melt 1 stick butter over high heat. Add onions and
Cajun spices. Stir well. Add shrimp and sauté for 1
minute shaking pan back and forth. Add mushrooms
and 4Tbsp water. Add remaining 4Tbsp butter in
chunks. Continue shaking pan. Add parsley before
butter is completely melted. Add remaining 2Tbsp
water. Cook and shake until mixed thoroughly and
butter sauce is the consistently of cream. Serve over
rice or pasta with French bread.
From the Sober Kitchen:
Can I eat beer battered shrimp?
Chef Kevin
FELONY-FRIENDLY
EMPLOYERS
AXIOS INCORPORATED
528 Bridge St NW
ADECCO
1140 MonroeAve
Grand Rapids, MI49505
EXPRESS PERSONNEL
2330 44th St, Se Suite 1A
UNITED CHURCH OUTREACH
MINISTRIES
631 Hall Street
JUBILEE JOBS INC.
935 Baxter St. Se
EMPLOYMENT GROUP
3230 BroadmoorAve. Se SuiteA
Grand Rapid, MI 49512
TROY TECH CONSTRUCTION
RESOURCES INC.
1000 3 mile Rd.
VAN ANDEL ARENA
130W Fulton St,
GOOD WILL INDUSTRIES
LABOR READY
2438 28th SE
Wyoming, MI 49519
BEACON SERVICES
4595 BroadmoorAve, SE Suite 180
STAFFING INCORPORATED
528 Bridge St. NW
AMERITEMP STAFFING
6151 28th St. Se Suite 9
AEROTEK
4665 44th St. Se
Kentwood, MI 49512
ADVANCE EMPLOYMENT
3160 Breton Rd. Se
GILL INDUSTRIES
4328 KalamazooAve. Se
CLEANING
COMPANIES
AWWARD WINDOW
CLEANING SERVICE
3552 Rodger B. Chafee
Grand Rapids, MI
BYERS D C COMPANY
5946 Clay SW
Grand Rapids, MI
AUTOMOTIVE
MUFFLER MAN AUTO REPAIR
CENTER
3300 28th St SE
Kentwood, MI
CARQUEST AUTO PARTS
STORES
801 Michigan Ne
3554Alpine NW
6015 S. Division Se
2417 Northville Dr. NE
5007 28th St
AUTO SOURCE
1408 Hall St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI
TALENT TREE
4328 Kalamazoo SE
MANUFACTURING,
FACTORIES,
WAREHOUSES
MODERN ROOFING
4741 21st
Dorr, MI
Contact Paul
AMERISUITES
5401 28th Ct.
RANIER
4701 East Paris
PRO FINISH POWDER
COATING
1000 Ken-O-Sha Ind’l Dr. Se
PHILLIPS AND MEAD
PAINTING
215 Sweet St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49505
VI-CHEM CORPORATION
55 Cottage Grove St. Se
N-K MANUFACTURING TECH
1134 Freeman SW
Grand Rapids, MI
BUTTERBALL FARMS
1435 Buchanan SW
Grand Rapids, MI
AIMS FINANCIAL
4595 Broadmoore E Suite 297
Kentwood, MI 49512
PRECISION FINISHING
1010 Chicago Dr.
Grand Rapids, MI
DEN KETELAAR PLUMBING
883West River Dr.
Comstock Park, MI
LEON PLASTICS
4901 Clay SW
PRIDGEON AND CLAY
50 Cottage Grove SW
SUPERIOR ASPHALT
699 Century SW
Grand Rapids, MI
ERIE CONSTRUCTION
44th St
Grand Rapids, MI
B & G MOLD
ENGINEERING INC.
2851 Prairie
CHALLENGE INDUSTRIES
3079 3 Mile Rd
RESTAURANTS
JIMMY JOHNS
63 Monroe Center
Quizno’s Sub
146 Monroe Center
SUBWAY
1202 Fulton St.W
OLGA’S KITCHEN
3195 28th St
FIRE MOUNTAIN
3725Alpine NW
WING HEAVEN
ARNIES RESTAURANT AND
BAKERY
710 Leonard St. NW
BS’S MONGOLIAN BARBECUE
2619 28th St.
BELTLINE BAR
16 28th St. Se
BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL
AND BAR
2035 28th St. Se
2121 CelebrationsAve
Bob Evans
3766 Potomac Cr. Grandville
CARLOS O’KELLY MEXICAN
CAFÉ
4977 28th Street
CHECKERS RESTAURANT
1131 Michigan NE
TGI FRIDAYS
3345 28th St. Se
LITTLE CAESAR’S
RESTAURANTS
NEW BEGINNINGS
RESTAURANT’S
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN
28th Street
MONGOLIAN BBQ
2619 28th Street
CHILI’S BAR GRILL
River town Crossings Mall
E3 BISTRO
3075 28th Street SW
FIRE MOUNTAIN
3725Alpine NW
BIG BOY RESTAURANTS
MOVING COMPANIES
FORT KNOX STORAGE AND
MOVING INC.
1514 JeffersonAve SE
BIG BROTHER
3470 Roger B. Chaffe
Grand Rapids, MI
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
912 47th St
Grand Rapids, MI
STATUS DELIVERY
4156 Danvers Court SE
ALLIED VAN LINES
Contact: Philo Frost
STORES
ADMIRAL TOBACCO
2333 44th St. SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
MC SPORTS
3070 Shaffer SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
EASTSIDE TATTOOS
1409 Robinson Rd. SE
THE HOME DEPOT
257 54th ST
Wyoming, MI 49548

Cultural Proficiency Is more than
about race. That’s something I have
learned from my Recovery Coach
training. I have also learned that there is
limited awareness to the Latino/Hispanic
community. As a Latino / Hispanic
individualmyself,inourculturesubstance
use disorders and mental health issues are
taboos. I feel like my neighborhood and
community should be aware that these
issues do exist. I’m living proof that they
can affect and control your life. I myself,
was an addict and lost everything when
I turned to the dark world of substance
misuse. I lost custody of my children and
my self worth. I caused myself so much
pain and suffering not only physically
but internally as well. Because of all this,
I would love to be a voice in the recovery
community to help others whether
they are Latino or not. There are great
resources and organizations that can
help such as Recovery Allies of West MI
a Recovery Community Organization
(RCO). I overcame addiction, I decided
to become a survivor not a victim. Too
many people are losing or have lost their
life because of this disease. We can make
a difference if we get united!! We need to
break the cycle of this disease that takes
lives, tears families apart, holds people
hostage from reaching their goals and life
itself.Myneighborhoodneedsthesupport
and by that we need to educate each other
on substance use disorders and recovery.
Let’s get connected to the services that are
out there. There are peer recovery coaches
who help remove barriers and obstacles
to recovery. They mobilize resources and
provide support to walk with you during
recovery. Remember addiction does not
care about race, age, religion. Let’s break
the silence and let’s be heard, there is a
famous saying in Spanish :Si Se Puede (
Yes we can ) fight addiction!!
UPCOMING TRAINING & EVENTS
MICHIGAN CELEBRATE RECOVERY PALOOZA
SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
AH-NAB-AWEN PARK
MICHIGANCELEBRATERECOVERY.ORG
About This Event
People in recovery from addiction to alcohol
and other drugs, their families, friends, addiction
treatment professionals, elected officials and other
allies will be coming together from across the Great
Lakes Region on September 20, 2014 to celebrate
recovery as part of National Recovery Month.
We’re excited to invite you to join us as a sponsor
of Michigan Celebrate RecoveryWalk & Rally XIIII
for our annual march and rally. Join us in celebrating
the reality of recovery and communicating the
need for services and supports to make it possible
for even more of our friends and neighbors to get
the help they need to recover and give back to our
communities.
Who participates?
Individuals in recovery, their family members and
friends, addiction treatment professionals, prevention
professionals, and the many others who support
healthy communities are all welcome!
The goal
Demonstrate to our friends and neighbors, policy
makers and the media that we can and do recover
from addiction to alcohol and other drugs and
that when we get well, it benefits our families,
communities and nation. Prevention works,
treatment is effective and people recover.
“MAPPING OUR FUTURE”
CONNECTING WHERE WE’VE BEEN TO WHERE
WE’RE GOING
SEPTEMBER 22 - 23, 2014
LANSING CENTER, LANSING, MI
NEW THIS YEAR,THE ANNUAL SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDER CONFERENCE IS BEING
COMBINED WITH THE CO-OCCURRING
DISORDER CONFERENCE.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 2,
2014.
Call for Exhibitors
We invite you to promote your products and services.
Opportunities include exhibitor tables and shared
materials tables.
Registration is now open!
Registration for the 2-Day Conference:
Through July 31, 2013: Early-Bird registration is
$180. FromAugust 1 through September 12: Regular
registration is $200. From September 13 through the
conference: Last-Minute registration is $300.
Registration for 1 Day of the Conference:
Through July 31, 2013: Early-Bird registration is
$95. FromAugust 1 through September 12: Regular
registration is $125. From September 13 through the
conference: Last-Minute registration is $300.
Conference Schedule:
Sunday, September 21, 2014
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 22, 2014
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Continuing Education Hours:
Up to 12 MCBAP specific continuing education hours
will be available to participants for this conference.
For social workers, approval is pending for a
maximum of 10 continuing education hours. Social
workers must enter their license number in the
appropriate space at the time of registration.
Presentations:
A detailed schedule with a list of sessions and
presenters is available here.
Accommodations:
There are several options for accommodations for
the conference. Please refer to the Registration
Information.
Partner with Prevention Network Reception:
Prevention Network will be hosting a reception
immediately following the Pre-Conference
trainings. for more information, go to http://www.
preventionnetwork.org/partner-with-pn-2014.aspx.
Payment Options:
You may pay by credit card or check.
Group Registrations: If you are registering a
group of attendees using the same credit card, you
may register each attendee by clicking “Register
and Mail a Check,” then callThe Knopf Company to
process the credit card.
ADVOCATE • CELEBRATE • EDUCATE
Recovery
ALLIES
RECOVERY COACH ACADEMY
OCTOBER 6-10, 8:30AM-4PM
LOCATION TBD
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
CALL 616-262-8531 FOR REGISTRATION INFO
About This Training
RecoveryAllies ofWest Michigan is hosting the RCA
five-day training opportunity.The training is designed
to prepare participants for employment as a Recovery
Coach as well as inform those that want to attend
that may not be seeking employment as one. The
training will provide participants with an in-depth
and comprehensive training experience focused on
the development of the skills required for a person
to responsibly provide the services of a Recovery
Coach. The training will provide participants tools
and resources useful in providing recovery support
services and will emphasize skills needed to link
people in recovery to needed supports within the
community.
The cost of this training is $400 and worth 32
MCBAP hours. Lunch is included.
Call 616-262-8531 for registration information.
ETHICS AND BOUNDARIES
FOR RECOVERY COACHES
OCTOBER 21, 2014
LOCATION TBD
Participants will learn:
n What codependency is
n How to identify codependency in self and others
n How codependency can lead to stress, relapse,
and burnout
n Where to sends clients for help with codependent
relationships
n What is a boundary
n When to set a boundary
n How to set a boundary
n How codependency interferes with boundary
setting
The unique issues Recovery Coaches face with
ethics how to deal with real life ethical issues
when working with individuals by using real life
experiences.
*This training offers 6 MCBAP hours in ethics
REGISTER with sara@recoveryallies.us
OUR HOPE ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER:
FLYING STANDBY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014
WEALTHY THEATRE (WEALTHY @ FULLER)
TICKET PRICE: $50 EACH • TIME: 7:30 PM
Join us for Our Hope’s 2014 fundraising event
featuringTonya Meeks in the bittersweet one-woman
show,“Flying Standby”. Meeks reveals how the
determination to escape her alcoholic mother carried
her through a turbulent ride of addiction, lost love,
and a final desperate flight toward reconciliation.
She gives an appealing, raw performance that’s full
of love, truth, and humor rather than self-pity. Adult
content.
Purchase your ticket online by visiting:
www.wealthytheatre.org/ourhope
Paper tickets will not be printed, show ID at the
door for admission. For questions or additional
information, contact: Marcella Scott at (616) 451-
2039 or mscott@ourhopeassociation.org
Perspective from a new coach Melissa
Burgos
Recovery Coach

“The roads to recovery are many
and that the resolution of alcoholism by any
method should be a cause for celebration by
A.A. members.” – Bill Wilson, 1944
Recovery Allies recognizes that there are
many pathways to recovery. Below are
some that we know of.One way to advocate
is to start one in your community!!
Some of the many pathways
n Alcoholics Anonymous – www.aa.org
n Narcotics Anonymous – www.NA.org
n Al-Anon – www.ola.is.org
n Other A’s
n Women in Sobriety – www.womenforsobriety.org
n Men for Sobriety – www.womenforsobriety.org
n Rational Recovery – www.rational.org
n Moderation Management – www.moderation.org
n HAMS – Harm Reduction Abstinence and
Moderation Support – http://hamsnetwork.org
n White Bison – www.whitebison.org
n S.O.S Secular Organization for Sobriety –
www.sossobriety.org
n Life Ring – www.unhooked.com
n SMART Recovery: Self-Management and
Recovery Training-www.smartrecovery.org
n Celebrate Recovery – www.celebraterecovery.com
n HAHA – Health and Healing Advocate's
n Pagans for Sobriety
Online Resources
n Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Administration (SAMHSA) – www.samhsa.gov
n U.S. Department of Health and Human Services –
www.hhs.gov
n National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) –
www.drugabuse.gov
n 24/7 Help Yourself – www.24/7helpyourself.com
n Sober Recovery – www.soberrecovery.com
n Cyber Recovery – www.cyberrecovery.net
n Addiction Tribe – www.addictiontribe.net
FEATURED
BOARD MEMBER
Stephen Alsum attended The Cooper Union
For The Advancement of Science and Art,
Hunter College-CUNY, City College-CUNY,
and Grand Valley State University, focusing
on study areas from engineering, to geology,
to mathematics and anthropology. Stephen
earned his Bachelors of Science in Mathematics
from Grand Valley State University in
September of 2011.
Stephenbeganhiscareerinthepublicservice
sector volunteering with The Grand Rapids Red
Project’s Clean Works program in October of
2007. Stephen has served in varying capacities
at Red Project ranging from the Clean Works
Program Coordinator, to board member, and
currently Executive Director. Steve’s leadership
has been influential and he has guided Red
Project through a period of massive expansion
and increased service delivery.
InStephen’stenureatRedProject,theClean
Works program has expanded from a program
offered 2 nights a week, to being offered 6 days
a week in 5 different locations. Individual
clients served has increased by a factor of 10.
Additional services have been added to Red
Project’s repertoire including: a mobile health
unit,rapidHIVcounseling,testing,andreferral,
rapid hepatitis C testing, overdose prevention
and response training with Naloxone, and a
variety of support groups. The organizational
budget at Red Project has tripled in Stephen’s
tenure as director.
Stephen has excelled at developing
programming to bridge gaps in service delivery
for populations disproportionately impacted
by health issues addressed at Red Project,
and in engaging community stakeholders in
Red Project service delivery. In addition to
responsibilities of his position at Red Project,
Stephen serves as community co-chair of the
Michigan HIV/AIDS Council, as a member of
the Kent County Community Health Advisory
Council, and as advocacy chair for Recovery
Allies of West Michigan. Stephen has presented
on health issues addressed through Red Project
at national conferences, and on a statewide
and local level. He’s been interviewed in the
local media more than 20 times in the past
few years on topics ranging from overdose, to
HIV, to substance use. Stephen has contributed
to national training manuals related to
programming designed to serve people affected
by drug use.
Steve Alsum
Meet Our Board Members & Staff
Kevin ONeill
Executive Director
North Alano Club
Margaret Rose
Work Force Development
Cherry Street Health Svcs.
Mark Thomson
Director of Special Projects
D.A. Blodgett - St John’s
Crystal King
Recovery Coach
Arbor Circle
Kristin Reinink
Intake Coordinator and
Recovery Coach
Sanford House
Karima Diggs- Holmes
Recovery Coach
Arbor Circle
Fawn Preston
Executive Director
Unlimited Alternatives
Steve Alsum
Executive Director
Grand Rapids
Red Project
John Rhodes
CADC
Juvenile Court
Call or email for information on how
YOU CAN GET INVOLVED with Recovery Allies!
GET INVOLVED!!

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